Two 360s taken in Virginia armed robbery

  • By Curt Feldman, GameSpot
  • Posted Nov 21, 2005 11:55 am PT

Consoles taken at gunpoint just hours ago; thief apprehended, consoles recovered.

A Stafford, Virginia, Electronics Boutique store was the scene of an armed robbery this morning. According to sources, the perpetrator made off with two Xbox 360 systems, forcing the store manager to hand them over at gunpoint.

Sources tell GameSpot the local police responded quickly, cordoned off the store, and immediately pursued the thief. The thief was apprehended shortly afterward.

Because the police consider the heist an ongoing criminal investigation, store employees were reluctant to discuss details of the robbery. But as of press time, the store is open, and all systems are back to normal.

"We're all fine, and everything is cool," a store staffer told GameSpot.

130 Comments

  • blueflamedino

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 3:40 pm PT

    two? wasn't one enough, he had to risk his tail for a buddy?

  • sn0wballz420

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 8:04 am PT

    www.xboxva.com

  • willict123

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 7:41 am PT

    why would someone pull a stunt like that beacuse someone would get busted for that and besides people would have to buy XboX 360 but some people would want to steal it

  • willict123

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 7:38 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • Dark-Hero1991

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 6:05 am PT

    What a loser, he could have just bought 2 XBOX 360's but instead he decided to go to prison.

  • davidwillits

    Posted Nov 28, 2005 5:59 pm PT

    man, what an idiot.
    I'm too poor to get an xbox 360, but I wouldn't steal it.

  • Narasil

    Posted Nov 28, 2005 3:59 pm PT

    jeez, thats really low... but funny
    why would he want 2? maybe someone was gonna give him a bunch of cash for the second one... ooOO!
    but really, he got owned

  • roktrman8

    Posted Nov 24, 2005 10:04 pm PT

    I love my xbox 360......I didn't have to try hard to get it either I just went to a store at 8 pm the day of and picked it up!! You people must live in one of those big cities, HA , I mean not to meantion the fact that I own microsoft.

  • bmanva

    Posted Nov 24, 2005 9:27 pm PT

    My buddy was robbed at gun point in Tallahassee Fl. for his Xbox 360.....but he still got one because his friend and wife bought two so he just bought the other one from them.....my friend is hoping that his credit card company wont charge him for the stolen one...crazy world

  • raven98030

    Posted Nov 24, 2005 5:55 pm PT

    Sad thing go and get a work sorry suckers.

  • thorboy03

    Posted Nov 24, 2005 5:42 pm PT

    Thats what happens when you give a nerd a gun.

    "Wait til Jack Thompson hears" - xaos Yeah he'll have a field day.

  • Buttmonkey9000

    Posted Nov 23, 2005 2:00 pm PT

    Pathetic! Well...... At least he was caught

  • mikeman_101

    Posted Nov 23, 2005 12:42 pm PT

    THATS NEAR MY HOUSE HAHAHAH NERDS ROBBING A STORE HAHAHA

  • sorzante

    Posted Nov 23, 2005 12:27 pm PT

    i sat outside of target in lakewood, wa for 14 hours, one man claiming gang affiliation tried to threaten his way to the front of the line at gunpoint, but the target employees quickly got the local police there and made sure all 16 of us got outside and off the grounds safely, but they never found the guy. THANK YOU TARGET!

  • rj1991

    Posted Nov 23, 2005 6:52 am PT

    If they really wanted an XBOX 360, they could've just got one off of Ebay. You can get one for about $150; and don't worry, this is actually true. I got one with 10 games for 150 bucks.

  • Garrett_Wu

    Posted Nov 23, 2005 12:15 am PT

    HA~This is crazy...

  • TruePrime

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 11:40 pm PT

    I was just really happy to hear that in both cases, the store and the youngster that got mobbed that all of them came out of the events with there live's still intact.

    It is just rediculos to what people do. hell i preorderd my X360 like 4 months back but after hearing these events i am happy I didn't accually get it today. But i will probably be unlucky and get one right before Xmas where the sitituation is at a feverd pitch lucky me huh

  • lowrider511

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 9:02 pm PT

    wow....if i were them i would have waited cause now prolly they have lost their privelage to even buy the xbox 360. lol

  • nosepicker22

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 5:39 pm PT

    It was probably Santa Claus trying to get some 360's for all the good little kids on Christmas.

  • Scarabus

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 3:40 pm PT

    Gawd. So stupid..

  • gingerguyver

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 3:30 pm PT

    Its amazing how people get just over game consoles.

    I personally never preorder and normally wait a while efter release so I can get my console with no probs.

    Its crazy the some ACTUALLY did an armed robbery for this. Its just games for petes sake.

    Personally though i think microsoft should do an advert of an armed robbery with X360 to strengthen their campain.

    "Get yours before the get You!!"

  • alexk11

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 3:11 pm PT

    I had the same exact problem. I ordered at my local gamestop on july 8th, and i called today to see what was going on and found out that i won't be getting it for another month. My friend who ordered his just a week before me got his on the first shipment. When i got the news that i wouldn't recieve mine for a whole month, i got very angry and also hung up the phone. I will also complain to as many people as i can.

  • jfolds1

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 2:52 pm PT

    Dear Forum,

    I wanted to personally tell you of my gamestop preorder expierance (pardon mispellings)..... A couple days after the xbox 360 went up on the gamestop.com site I went down to my local gamestop which we've only had for a few months here and placed my preorder for the system on 8-26. As of this time, the system was advertised shipping on 11/22 on the website with everyone ordering being in the 1st batch shipped. Gamestop.com was full of inventory, with nothing shown out of stock and everything ready to go. As you know, about a month later preorders where stopped, and later on reopened for a 2nd shipment ordering status. My order being placed on 8-26 was well before the i think 11-10 cutoff date for 1st shipment status.

    Well, after all these months I called the local store today to see how my order was coming along and they told me my xbox wouldnt be here till the 2nd shipment !!!!! I almost passed out, I did turn red, and did hang up the phone... only to get online and hop over to gamestop.com to find its corporate information so that I could get this mistake fixed fast. After calling the # provided on the gamestop site, I was directed to #1 to talk to someone about their local stores. The person answering, I didn't get his name .. was so frustrated I didn't even ask .. after hearing my problem explained that ordering from a local gamestop store was not the same as ordering from gamestop itself. The advertised shipping dates that the corporation, and everyone that ordered directly from the gamestop.com site were guaranteed are not guaranteed on orders placed at local stores.

    Now, I sit here.. the day before the xbox360 ships, with a nearly 4month old preorder.. that I could have placed on any online site, or with many local retailers... but chose gamestop, and in store pickup delivery only 15miles from my house to be xboxless come tomorrow. What makes it even worse is that people that ordered AFTER me, are now receiving their xbox's while I sit here with none.

    I have began filling out fraud forms online and encourage anyone that has had the same expierance to do the same. Below I will provide 2 of the online reporting sites which I have already used and i'm still looking for more sites to file my complaint on. I just wonder how many poor saps ordering from their local gamestop stores have had this happen to them.

    If anyone is having the same problem, please make a post as I feel this is great class action lawsuit material.

    Sincerely,

    Jamie D. Folds

    National Fraud Information Center
    http://www.fraud.org/info/contactnfic.htm

    Internet Fraud Complaint Center
    http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp

  • homsuplo75

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:59 pm PT

    Can't say I find this news item all too surprising. There will always be those who want everything for free and will go to any means to get what they want. I'm glad they were caught and all store employees are safe.

  • GuNnEr-UK

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:44 pm PT

    That's why im getting mine when the mob is died down a little bit.

  • Ateoto

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:36 pm PT

    I live in Stafford VA, Luckily I got mine in a nearby county. I would have been pissed if someone cut in line and jacked two Systems.

  • The_Answer_1

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:31 pm PT

    ahahhahhah serious gamers

  • exavior17

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:22 pm PT

    Another site had a story about how a 17 year old was robbed after leaving a store after having bought a 360 last night.

    I guess people must really want xbox360s.

  • Ghost_of_Kirin

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:09 pm PT

    Hah, they would have fared better by just grabbing the things off the store attendant after asking him/her for an inspection of the system which would be housed in the boxes.

    The crime would be deemed less severe, not to mention less stupid, and so would their charge for that matter.

  • Suidolem1

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 11:32 am PT

    Was it just me or did anyone else notice this line:

    ("Because the police consider the heist an ongoing criminal investigation, store employees were reluctant to discuss details of the robbery.")

    Inside job people. LOL.

  • rrooaann

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 10:46 am PT

    serves Ebgames right for having a xbox360!

  • Parsaw

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 10:15 am PT

    Lol.

  • paullawr

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 10:14 am PT

    If your gonna steal from a shop at gun point, you would have surely thought he would have emptied the checkout tills, stole a bunch of games and grabbed a few PSPs as well to make it worth it.

    Wonder whos gonna get the 360 that was stolen, might go for a packet on ebay. "Stolen 360, now legally purchased. Still has the bullet holes in the box, amazing condition!"

    Its happend before though, the PS2 at launch in Japan had a string of robberies, especially from gangs holding up kids in alleys. I know its happend here in the UK as well.

    As for threats, well, I did personally go ape s*it at some store guy at cex.co.uk when I preordered my PS2, the $%^&**£" decided on the day it was supposed to be sent out to me (after paying in full) that I couldnt have it unless I paid a fat premium for 4 rather crap games. I was not a happy bunny!

    This time around, I will ensure that if I want just the console and one game, thats what I'm entitled to.

    Either way, take care you guys/gals in the goold ole usa when collecting them. Keep them wrapped up out and of sight, and get home safely!

  • Matth13

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 8:17 am PT

    i remember a guy posting this late last night and nobody believed him. funny how he now has ownage.

  • blacktwister

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 7:08 am PT

    WTF a 360, it should of currency since it's easier to carry, i think. Idiots, it should of been a ps3.

  • OAKside24

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 7:07 am PT

    I've heard of Mall Security [unarmed ex-cons ]
    escorting groups of X360 purchasers out of store.
    I must admit, even during Halo 2 mania people were
    talking of knocking the sheets out of others for the thing..

  • Textar360

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 7:00 am PT

    I've seen Perfect Dark Zero in action. I believe the graphics have reached a point in which standard tv's cannot show the true details of this system. I cannot imagine on how much money people are spending on both a High Definition TV and the premium package of the 360. I sure would like to buy one, but do not want to spend so much money at one time. I think I can upgrade my pc for a lot cheaper. Hey, I just remembered this system has a VGA monitor optional outputs. Maybe I will get just the system... hmmm. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 6:09 am PT

    Man, I guess the theif was stressed about the X360 shortage and decided he/she was gonna get one by any means necessary. What an idiot.

  • SnuffDaddyNZ

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 5:41 am PT

    Ahhh, so games DO cause SOME people to be violent after all!

    I remember one time, I was playing BADLANDS with my brother.

    Now , it's an old arcade game and it can be found on Midway Arcade Treasures 3. Basically, it's Super Sprint with missles set in a post apocalyptic environment.

    The second track is a figure eight. I had a good supply of homing missles. Now what homing missiles did is they would go around the track hitting the first car they come close to.

    I would get ahead, and fire the missle and it kept hitting my brother, which was hilarious from my point of view even though I was intentionally doing it. If it was happening by accident it would still have been funny.

    Anyway to get to the point, my brother was getting a tad angry at this and told me not to do it again.... which I did and it resulted in a punch in the arm.

    So you see, games can cause violence, in some people in some cases.

  • automaticsnake

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 4:21 am PT

    lol wow they wanted a xbox 360 real bad

  • ewjim

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 3:46 am PT

    They can't wait for PS3?!

  • Neoyamaneko

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 3:34 am PT

    This reminds me of the Dragon Quest jackings in Japan. Wasn't there a guy that killed his neighbor to get an Xbox a couple of years ago?

  • townsenda1

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 2:55 am PT

    That's funny. Sad, but very funny. I guess when you want an Xbox 360 but can't see paying $400 on it, I guess robbery is the only option. That is so sad though. I want an Xbox 360 as bad as anyone but not going to steal if. Cause what happens when or if the get caught. And they do time and some murder comes up to them and asked; "what u in for?" Stealing an Xbox 360 just doesn't seem hardcore enough to keep you from being someone's b*tch. Funny.

  • Lgy

    Posted Nov 22, 2005 12:01 am PT

    oh yeah !!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

  • HoSticker

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 10:53 pm PT

    Did someone say hes going away for months? Ya right. Hes looking at atleast 5 years of some serious time. Hes done.

  • HoSticker

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 10:52 pm PT

    Did someone say hes going away for months? Ya right. Hes looking at atleast 5 years of some serious time. Hes ****

  • Textar360

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 9:33 pm PT

    I wonder if Nintendo's Revolution could ever produce this type of hype? Get those Revolution presells early, hehe.

  • jerico6

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 9:13 pm PT

    True Pathedicness! Those guys should of had waited like everyone else.

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